This guy has passion!  Yesterday, we talked about our permanent burdens.  A permanent burden is one that bugs you, disturbs you, and it creates passion–a burden that is bigger than yourself and that you must take action on.  Temporary burdens are those when we make a mistake or someone wrongs us.  They create a burden, but they only last so long.  When you have a permanent burden it drives you past the temporary ones.  What is your permanent burden? 

p.s. mine is reaching the next generation for Christ

Many of us hurry so quickly through the day, we rarely take the time to stop and enjoy the moments.  The moments of happiness, the moments of joy, the moments of accomplishment, the moments of perseverance, the moments of love. All of these seem to pass by so quickly and it is for us to either enjoy or miss.  Enjoy the great moments!

We are seeing a shift in how things are accomplished within organizations and companies today.  What used to be a top down structure is definitely moving towards a network or flattened structure.  Organizations are doing everything they can to empower the people around them.  Websites have their  users edit and create their content, advertisers build campaigns around videos that people send in, and companies give incentives for others to get involved in their mission.

The cool thing is, God did the same thing.  He ordained the priests of Israel to be between him and his people.  And, today, all believers have access to God, read his truth, confess to Him, and help those around them.  He uses a system of people.  He was ahead of His time Genius!

The relational web: beta is up on the web now and so are some Imagine casts under the media section of the website–check it out!  Keep growing your relational web!  http://www.imaginefellowship.org/media

What books are you reading?  It seems like a simple question.  However, when someone asks that question they are asking, “What do you fill your mind with?” “What are you learning about?” “Where are you growing?” There are so many and they are filled with tons of information.  

Favorite Books:

1. The Bible (hands down the best book ever, and top seller of all time)

2. Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud

3. Strengthfinders 2.0 by Tom Rath

4. The Dip by Seth Godin

5. The DNA of Relationship by Dr. Gary Smalley

(the list could go on and on, I am book hound, but these are probably my favorites and most recommended)

Finances are one of those areas that people don’t like to deal with.  Yet, if you think about it, there are tons of decisions that are made because of your financial situation.  What car you drive, where you live, and what you eat, but this basic principle should always be a basis in our lives–soup today for steak tomorrow.  No matter how much money you make, it does not matter, we have to spend less than we make.  Take a look at your financial situation, sit down and do the math, and see if you are setting yourself up financially. Money can’t bring happiness, but a lack of money will bring problems.

We are going thru the series “Drones” right now, and while we are focusing on our God given strengths, I also wanted to mention sometimes you have to got to try something different.  You will never know if you are good at something if you don’t try something new.  That might mean, simply, driving a different way to work.  Whatever it is, change it up! 

Sometimes, because of my a.d., what was I saying, oh yeah, a.d.d., I lose focus.  If you are like me, try to do the things you need to get done now.  I mean, as soon as you think about it and it pops in your head, do it then.  It works wonders!  Stay focused on the task at hand and stay focused on God!

Are you going thru it…what is “it”?  That is a great question.  To a certain extent, it is politically incorrect to talk about “the failing marriage” or the “pain of divorce” or the “struggle with alcoholism” or the “addiction to pornography” or the “constant drug problem” or the “insecurity of your appearance” or the “food addiction” or the “fear of failure” or the “fear of not finding love.”  We hold these thoughts deep inside our mind and heart, fearful that if anyone found out they would think of us differently.  They would never want to associate with someone of that integrity.  Yet, if we are honest, we are all dealing with something, the “it” in our lives, and it is the church, us the people, that are there to say “I struggIe too.”  When you do life together, the “it’s” don’t seem so impossible anymore.    

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: 

   ”If your enemy is hungry, feed him; 
      if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 
   In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:18